Gurung's Home

From the moment I arrived, the staff were incredibly friendly and assisted me with suggestions of what to do during my time in Nepal. The location was perfect - just around the corner from the busy Thamel but nice and quiet. The staff cooked me a nice breakfast every morning, even when I woke up earlier than the breakfast time slot!

The motive for staying here can only be that it is outside of the busier Thamel area, though I still wouldn't choose it. The price is the same or more than the much better hostels such as Yog, Big Tree, Rest-up etc. The dorm room was windowless, and so tiny that the door could only open 40% before hitting the lockers. The ladder to the bed is broken, so it swings like a sailors mast, and there was thick dust on the metal bed frame. When I arrived there was no toilet paper in the bathroom (though it was added later) nor was there hot water, though thereafter there was. They lock the gates at around 20:30 so you have to shout to get back in, and once again, if you wake up at 06:00am you have to shout and wake them up to get out again. On my departure day I had a bus to Chitwan and wanted to leave at 06:00, but of course there was a huge fuss as the night guy wanted to check if I paid to let me go! I had paid, though it still took 10 minutes which probably woke others up too. During my short stay they make the beds daily for everyone, so your belongings get strewn around the room even if they were neatly on your bed. I had printed an entire itinerary too for an embassy visit which I left on my bed and found crumpled on my return. They did offer a welcome drink on arrival which was a tasty Masala tea, and the manager seemed enthusiastic, though from extensive experience through 12 years of solid travel, I really can't believe this place deserves a true 9/10? I just don't see this as legitimate. Given my experience and that it is equally priced but further away from the centre with lesser facilities, I would be generous with 3/5.

I've been here two times - before my trek in the Himalayas and after it - so i had two different rooms. Both were very clean. The staff is super friendly and will help you with everything you need. There's also a super nice patio.